Also known as Wattle · 28 saves
Acacia
Acacia, the genus most gardeners know as wattle. We track 29 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 24 most-saved Acacia varieties
See all 29 Acacia varieties →Search this genus →
25 species of Acacia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Acacia in Sow
Save the Acacia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Acacia
Whats common across all Acacia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 29 most-grown of them.
The Acacia year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Tip-prune immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy canopy and prevent leggy growth.
- Check for PestsJune–August100% of varieties
Inspect branches for borers or gall-forming insects, pruning out any heavily infested wood below the damage zone.
- FertilizeMarch and April83% of varieties
Apply a balanced organic fertiliser to support growth, though this species is not sensitive to phosphorus.
- PropagateMarch and April76% of varieties
Sow scarified seeds or take semi-firm tip cuttings to raise new plants.
- MulchOctober and November38% of varieties
Apply organic mulch around the root zone to retain soil moisture while young.
Do
- Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot.
- Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
- Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy shape.
- Water regularly during dry spells, especially when the plant is young or in coastal sites.
- Check branches periodically for signs of borers or gall-forming insects.
Avoid
- Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood.
- Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate.
- Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood as it may fail to shoot back.
- Do not plant near sensitive bushland areas in Victoria or South Australia where it can become invasive.
What goes wrong with Acacia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Borers | Small holes in the trunk or branches, accompanied by sawdust-like frass and dieback. | Prune out and dispose of infested branches below the entry point, and maintain plant health to resist attack. |
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew residue on foliage, black sooty mould, and small raised bumps on stems. | Treat infestations with horticultural oils or eco-oil. |
| Gall-forming insects | Abnormal woody swellings or galls on the stems and branchlets. | Prune off the affected stems well below the galls and dispose of them to prevent the insects from spreading. |
| Wood-boring insects | Dieback of branches accompanied by sawdust-like frass near entry holes. | Prune out affected limbs well below the infestation zone and destroy them. |
| Root rot | Yellowing foliage, sudden wilting, and collapse of the plant. | Improve soil drainage before planting and avoid overwatering. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Yellowing foliage, sudden wilting, and plant collapse due to root destruction in heavy or waterlogged soils. | Improve soil drainage before planting, avoid overwatering, and apply registered fungicidal treatments if detected early. |
| Sooty mould | A black, powdery coating on the foliage, typically occurring in humid conditions as a byproduct of sap-sucking insects. | Control the underlying scale or aphid population using horticultural oils or soap sprays. |
Making more Acacia
Seed
- Scarify the hard seed coat using sandpaper or nicking, or soak seeds in boiling water until they swell.
- Sow treated seeds into a well-draining native seed-raising mix.
- Keep the medium lightly moist and place in a warm, bright position.
- Pot up individual seedlings once they develop true phyllodes and are large enough to handle.
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take cuttings from semi-firm new growth in late summer or autumn.
- Dip the base of the cuttings in a root-promoting hormone gel.
- Insert into a well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Maintain high humidity and bottom heat until roots establish.
Acacia questions
How many types of Acacia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 29 distinct Acacia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 28 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Acacia grow in?
Across its varieties, Acacia covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Acacia bloom?
Most Acacia varieties bloom in late winter, winter, autumn. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Acacia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.